Apparatus for concentrating liquids.



P. KESTNER. APPARATUS FOR GONGENTRATING LIQUIDS.

971,383 APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1, 1909. v 27 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

P. KESTNER. APPARATUS FOR OONGENTRATING LIQUIDS.

Patented Sept. 27,1910.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV.1, 1909.

VIII/III 2 8HBETB-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT PAUL KESTNER, OF LILLE, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR 'IO KESTNER 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CQRPQRAIION neuron.

EVAPORAIOR COMPANY, OF PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR CONCENTRATING LIQUIDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

Application fi1ed November 1, 1909. Serial No. 525,710.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, PAUL KEsrNEn, a citizen of the Republic of F ranc'e, and a resi dent of.Li lle,' Department N ord,'France, have invented certain Improvements in Apparatus for Concentrating Liquids, of which evaporators in which concentration or evaporation is efiected'by the climbing ofthe liquid. within elongated tubes externally heated, that will insure an even and simultaneous feed to all the tubes of the liquid -or' liquid bodies and ofaccompanying vapor, giving a uniform feed of both vapor and liquid in each tube. Y

My invention is particularly'applicable to ,evaporators of the Kestner type and is fully shown in the accompanying which:

Figure 1, is a vertical section of the lower part of one form of evaporating apparatus showing the application thereto of an improved feeding device embodying my invention; Fig; 2, is a sectional plan view of the same, taken on the line M, Fig. 1, and

drawings, in

- Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, are sectional views illustrating a portion of an evaporator and showing other forms of feeding devices embodying my invention.

In the operation of evaporators of the elongated vertical tube type, in which evaporation is effected by film climbing of the liquid or liquid body under treatment, the essential result to be attained is the feeding of said liquid or liquid body to all of the tubes simultaneously and uniformly, that is, a like amount of liquid in each tube. In evaporators of this type, the climbing film on the walls of'the tubesurrounds and is carried by a central core of vapor and it very desirable to furnish some of this vapor in, a'performed state so as to initiate the climbing film as soon aspossible. This is readily practicable with. thelater effects of a multiple efi'ect apparatus and with the first effect where a preheater "is employed. In

supplying the tubes with both vapor and liquid it is desirable to effect an even-and proportionedfeed of both in'ea-ch tube, each tnbeflt-herelqy reeeivinglthe same relative amounts of each. In a multiple efi'ect .apparatus, hquid coming from a previous evaporator is higher in temperature than the boiling point in the evaporator into which it is introduced, and the result is that the instant the liquid passes the feed valve into the ,ond evaporator, the pressure being reduced these bubbles of steam should be separated and fill the space directly below the tube sheet forming a distinct layer of vapor above the liquid. One reason for this is that. it is desirable to have a uniform liquid level nearthe ends of the tubes so that the feed in each tube will be uniform; the steam entering the tube at the top. of a slot or-laterally presented orifice at the end of said tube and the liquid passing up the tube on the wall of the same. If this level of liquid is not uniform, or if there is a disturbance caused by the liquid'entering at one side of the feed chamber, it will be readily understood that some of the tubes are apt to receive more liquid than others, while others receive more vapor, a condition that would interfere with the efliciency of the apparatus. Owing to the presence of this large amount of vapor due to a fall in temperature'and pressure when the liquid is passed from a previous effect to the feed chamber of a second evaporator,

there is always an opportunity for some tubes to receive a greater amount of liquid than others, and the essential object of my inventionis to provide means whereby the liquid and its accompanying vapor may be controlled so that the entrance of the same to the several tubes will take place simultaneously with a substantially uniform volume of liquid and of vapor admitted to each tube.

The forms of feeding devices shown and described herein are intended to overcome the difficulties heretofore met with in feed ing liquid or liquid bodies undergoing treatment to the base oi evaporating tubes.

In Figs. 1 and 2, of the drawings, 1 represents the lower portion of a heating shell or-casing shown as ofthe climbing film type and containing evaporating tubes 2 to which .the liquid orliquid body under treatment is to be fed. Carried by this shell or casing 1 is a tube sheet 3 through which sald tubes'project downwardly into a feed cham her 4, as'indicated, and these tubes may be provided with laterally presented orifices or slots 5 of the character shown. and de- 5 scribed in my prior patent No. 882,322; the

a pan 8 having an annular wall 9 which ex.-

tends above the lower ends of the tubes 2. Two inlet nozzles are shown, one of which may be capped when the other is connected to the usual delivery pipe supplying the liquid or liquid body to be concentrated; such construction permitting the use of right and left feed connections. The additional nozzle also permits simultaneous feed of liquid from another source, as where a return connection is desired. The height of this wall 9 mayvary in some instances, and fthe ends of. the tubes preferably project some distance into the feed chamber, and below the top of the wall 9; in evaporators of the usual size such projection being about eight inches below the bottom of the tube sheet, thus providing a large space for the circulation of the steam or vapor accompanying the liquid or liquid body under-' going concentration and a circuitous passage between the inlet and the tube ends.

The liquid or liquid body fed through the inlet nozzle 7 first enters a space 10 between v the bottom of the feed chamber and the 0 dished number 8, and with its accompanying vapor flows upward and passes the wall.9 of the latter into the dishing of said member 8 until the accumulating liquid formed as liquid and vapor separate and rise into contact with the tubes 2 when ascent within the same will take place, the steam or vapor which has entered with the liquid causing the latter to film in and wet the tubes,

v thereby facilitating the upward passage of the liquid and maintaining the filming of such liquid within said tubes.

The force with which the liquid enters the feed chamber is usually considerable and the force of the current in the absence of controlling means is apt tomake the liquid level irregular thus giving more feed to some tubes than to others. The liquid may bank up at or near the point of entry or at a point more remote. With such a banking up, some tubes may take too much liquid to give a proper type of climbing film while'othefs will run practically dry.

By providing the dished or pan-like member, the distribution is made more uniform while still more advantageous results are attained by placing deflecting and circulating wings between the pan and the casing.

Vanes 11 may be provi ed, disposed in the space between the bottom of the feed chamber and the dished member or pan 8, so as to form a series of curved paths for the incomingliquid and its accompanying vapor, which vanes serve to divert such liquid and vapor and give it a whirling motion, causing it to enter the from a number of points; thereby securing an even flow for the same past the edge of the wall 9 which serves as a deflector plate. The practical result of this arrangement is the even introduction of the liquid into the feed chamber near the tube ends with a large proportion of bubbles, what is in eflect an emulsion of the liquid and accompan in vapgdr and steama condition that aci 'tates evaporation of the liquid or liquid body under treatment in the tubes by insuring the proper wetting of the tubes and an even feed of th liquid thereto. The

center of the pan 8 may be depressed at .12 and communicate with a drain outlet. '90 In the form of feeding device shown in Fig. 3, a dished member or pan 8 is employed, over the annular wall 9 of which the liquid overflows from the feeding chamber 4, .to which it enters from a nozzle 7*,

and in addition this member 8 is provided with a series of tubes 13 in communication with the body of liquid and vapor entering below said member, which tubes extend to a point above the lower ends of the evapcrating tubes 2. The dished member may be supported by lugs or by tubular members l4, and a drain passage 15 may be provided, which may pass through one of said supports. If desired, the space between the bottom 6 of the feed chamber and the bottom of the dished member S may be provided with curved vanes as in Fig. 1, to give a rotative or whirling movement to the liquid prior to its passing into said dished member '8"; further insuring an even feed of the same.

In the form of feeding device shown in. Fig. 4, the evaporating tubes 2 project into a space in the feed chamber formed by an annular Wall 9", which may be secured to the bottom 6 of the feed chamber and serves as a deflector against which the entering liquid strikes, and over which it passes with a substantially even flow 'until it rises to a height level with the lower ends of the tubes when feed to the latter will take place. The steam or vapor fills the upper portion of the feed chamber and enters the tube ends simultaneously with the liquid through the laterally presented orifices 01' slots 5.

In the structure shown in Fig. 5, theliquid enters through an inlet opening 7 in the bottom of the feed chamber and strikes a deflector member 16 which stops the force an circumferentially 75 17 for the exit of the liquid and its accomfills the feed chamber until even with the the latter, previously Wet by the accompanyabove the top ofthenotches or slots in the rate chamber near the top of chamber 20, circulating I around the upper portion of the feed chamand concentrationof the same.

7, in that provisionis made for passing 2, via a passage 21, while the steam or va' a space 95 below the feed chamber and from of its flow,- such member being apertured at panying steam or vapor. When such liquid lower ends of the tubes it will rise within,

ing steam or vapor.

In the structure. shown in Fig. 6, the. feed chamber is divided by a substantially horizontal partition 18, into two spaces. The liquid and vapor enter the lower one from a nozzle 7 and overflows into the-upper space into which the lower ends of the evaporating tubes 2 project, through the pipes or tubes 19. These pipes or tubes extend into the steam or vapor portion of the upper space ends of the tubes.

' In the structures shown in Figs. 7 and 8,' provision is made for previously separating thev liquid or liquid body from the steam or vapor which accompanies it when entering the apparatus. To accomplish this, a'sepais provided, disposed adjacent the feed chamber which is in communication with the tubes, and provision is made for independent transfer of the li' uid and of the steam or vapor to said teed chamber and therethrough to the tubes communicating therewith.

In Fig. '7, the liquid enters the chamber 20 separates more or less perfectly from the vapor and flows via a passage 21 to the feed chamber 4 into which the evaporating tubes 2 project, and strikes a deflector or baflle 22 therein which serves to spread the liquid to all parts of said chamber. The steam or vapor accompanying the liquid or developing within said chamber 20 rises to the top of the same and enters the feed chamber 4: via a passage 23 which leads'from a point ber 4. simultaneously with the entry of the liquid therebelow and the latter wets the inner walls ofthe tubes 2 uniformly and simultaneously as the vapor enters such tubes; thus facilitating the flow of liquid thereto The structure shown in Fig. 8, although designed to separate the liquid and vapor, differs somewhat from that shown in Fig.

steam or vapor directlyto the evaporating tubes 2. To this end, the incoming liquid and vapor passinto an auxiliary-feed chamber 20, and thence the liquid separated therein passes to a space 4 below the tubes por separated from said liquid within the aux liary chamber enters a conduit 24 which communicates with a passage 23 leading to this spaclcig, thesteam or vapor enters the j evaporatiiygjtubes' 2 direct through short sec-,

tions of tubing indicated at 26. In this form of structure no provision is made for projecting the tubes into the feed chamber, but such" is not thought to be necessary in view of the direct passage of the steam or vapor to theevaporating tubes. With the pro ecting tubes, the laterally presented orifices'or slots 5 will tap both. steam and liquid layers, allowing a simultaneous entry of bot-h in each tube, but with the structure of Fig. 8, positive means are provided for the delivery of liquid and of vapor into each. evaporating tube and the beveling or slotting of the tube ends and their prolongation become unnecessary.

The several forms of distributing devices may be made of sheet metal or cast metal, or parts may be of sheet metal and parts of cast metal. The. tubes may be projected into the feed chamber to any desired distance, such condition depending in. some measure upon the size and capacity of the evaporating element. All of the feeding devices should preferably be provided with suitable draina e outlets, readily accessible and proper y valved. Inaddition the feed chamber in each instance is so constructed and arranged, and of such size with respect to the shell containing the evaporating tubes. that all of said tubes are accessible when said feed chamber, or the lower portion of the same isremov'ed.

The object to be attained is the control of the liquid and its accompanyingsteam or vapor so that the feed of the liquid and of the vapor to the evaporating tubes will be uniform and simultaneous.

v Iclaim:

1. In a tubular evaporator, the co1nbination of a feed chamber at the base of the tubes for receiving the liquid under treatment, evaporating tubes leadin upwardly from said chamber, portions'oi said tubes extending into thev same, an inlet for the liquid, and means interposed between said feed inlet and the extended ends of said tubes foriacilitating the separation of steam or vapor from the .liquid to facilitate an even flow and distribution of the same to the evaporating tubes. i

2. In a tubular evaporator, thejcombination of a feed chamber at the base of the tubes for receiving the liquid under treatment, said liquid being accompanied a large volume of steamv or vapor, evaporating tubes leading upwardly from said chamber, portions of said tubes extending into the feed chamber, an inlet for said liquid, and means interposed betweensaid feed inlet and the extended ends of said tubes for fa cilitating the separation of steam or vapor from the liquid prior to the entrance of the latter to the evaporating tubes.

3. In a tubular evaporator, the combination of a feed chamber at the-base of the tubes for receiving the liquid under treatextending intovthe same, an inlet for the liquid, and an open topped pan surrounding the lower ends of the evaporating tubes, the incoming liquid overflowing the wall of said pan before gaining access to the tubes.

4. In a vertical tube evaporator, the combination of a feed chamberat the base of the tubes for receiving the "liquid under treatment, evaporating tubes leading upwardly from said chamber, portions of sald tubes extending into the feed chamber, an

inlet for said liquid, a pan centrally disposed with respect to the feed chamber and surrounding the lower ends of the tubes, and

a side wall inconnection with said panextending above the ends of the tubes so arranged that the incoming liquid overflows said wall before gaining access to the tubes.

5; In a tubular evaporator having a re ceiving chamber at its base, the combination of a casing forming'said chamber, an inner shell separated from the wall of the chamber and forming a sub-chamber therein, and a series of evaporating tubes extend mg into the sub-chamber, said shell serving as a bafiie to regulate the flow of the entering liquid. v

6. In a tubular evaporator having a receiving chamber at its base, the combination of a casing forming said chamber, an inner shell separated from the wall of the cham-' her and forming a sub-chamber therein, a series of evaporating tubes extending into the sub-chamber, and means between said casing and shell for regulating the flow of the incoming liquid.

7. In a tubular evaporator having a receiving chamber at its base, the combination of a casing forming said chamber and forming a sub-chamber therein, inner shell separated from the wall of the cham- 8. In a tubular evaporator having a receiving chamber at its base, the combination ofa casing forming said chamber and forming a sub-chamber therein, an inner shell separated from the wall of the chamber, a series of evaporating tubes extending into the sub-chamber, and curved vanes located between said casing and shell and forming passages for the flow of the incoming liquid and serving to regulate and control the same and its accompanying vapor.

9. In a vertical tube evaporator, the com bination of a receiving chamber at the base of the tubes forthe liquid under treatment,

evaporating tubes leading upwardly from said chamber and having portions extending into the same, an inlet p1pe for theliquid,

annular passages communicating with said inlet pipe and receivingchamber, and an annular wall in the receiving chamber surrounding the ends of the tubes over which the incoming liquid flows before it gains access to said tubes.

10. In a vertical tube evaporator, the combination of a shell or casing, a feed chamber at the bottom of the same having a suitable inlet, tubes disposed in said casing and having portions extending intosaid feed chamber, and a baffle. plate disposed in said chamber opposite said inlet, said ba'fiie plate providing for the gradual separation of vapor accompanying'the liquid under treatment.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

1 PAUL KESTNER.

Witnesses:

HENRI GHARRIER, LiioN PECKEL. 

